Friday night footy features a Bulldogs vs Melbourne showdown where the Storm, leading early NRL 2017 Premiership Betting, look hard to beat.

Also on that evening is the Souths Sydney vs Wests Tigers clash.

The likely improvers for 2017, Sydney take on the Titans at the Gold Coast on Saturday night following the Cowboys vs Raiders clash where NQ look one of the weekend’s best bets.

See below for the full NRL Round 1 Preview & Tips before heading to Ladbrokes.com.au for all the top odds this weekend and ahead in their NRL Season Pricing markets!

NRL Round 1

Cronulla Sharks ($2.05) vs Brisbane Broncos ($1.80)

Thursday March 2, 2017 (7:00pm) – Southern Cross Group Stadium

The Sharks come into 2017 off their first ever Premiership success and should be confident despite a loss in England in the lead-up. They’re unlikely to reach the same heights as 2016 especially with the retirement of Michael Ennis and Ben Barba who plays for their opposition on Friday night.

At home against Brisbane, who play without Corey Parker and also lost in England in the World Cup Series, Cronulla should be hard to beat at a generous price.

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs ($2.05) vs Melbourne Storm ($1.80)

Friday March 3, 2017 (5:00pm) – Belmore Sports Ground

The Storm aren’t always the best out of the gates, but they’ll build on whatever happens early season and make a genuine charge to the NRL Grand Final. They keep big name players like Cronk and Smith where other teams have said goodbye to major playmakers and shape-up as the well-oiled machine to beat.

Plenty of pre-season hype on the Bulldogs, but surely they won’t live up to it especially first-up here at a venue where their record is dismal.

South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.68) vs Wests Tigers ($2.25)

Friday March 3, 2017 (7:05pm) – ANZ Stadium

Friday night footy also runs at ANZ Stadium with arch rivals the Bunnies and Tigers doing battle. Interest is added by former Wests veteran Robbie Farah stepping out in the red and green against his old club for the first time.

Souths didn’t do what many predicted they would and were disappointing from the get go in 2016. This is their chance to atone and if Burgess and big GI are back to their best and get the support they need, they’ll be a Top 4 chance.

Watch out for James Tedesco for the big cats though, he’ll be adding points galore.

St George Illawarra Dragons ($3) vs Penrith Panthers ($1.40)

Saturday March 4, 2017 (3:30pm) – UOW Jubilee Oval

Panthers lead NRL betting on this Saturday afternoon fixture despite travelling for their first of the season. There were plenty of gaps in the Dragons’ defence last year and Penrith will be looking to sneak through them and runaway with this game.

Lots of young talent in the Penrith outfit looking to match it with the best and even though it’ll be closer than markets suggest, don’t think St George will be adding to their solid record as underdogs.

North Queensland Cowboys ($1.40) vs Canberra Raiders ($3)

Saturday March 4 (6:00pm) – 1300 Smiles Stadium

2015 Premiers the Cowboys nearly made a second NRL Grand Final appearance last year and shape-up as one of the genuine contenders again in 2017. They start off against last year’s surprise outfit the Raiders getting home ground advantage up in NQ headquarters.

They always show-up for a rowdy home crowd and the Green Machine will likely find it too hot up north to win as the odds suggest.

Gold Coast Titans ($2.20) vs Sydney Roosters ($1.70)

Saturday March 4 (8:00pm) – Cbus Super Stadium

It was a woeful 2016 season for the tri-colours, but don’t be scared to take early markets on the Roosters to go all the way this year. They’ll want to put the on and off field discretions behind them and think they can do that first-up against the Titans.

Gold Coast had a huge year last season and they are in the mix for the finals again with Hayne to slot in better, but think first-up nerves will have them on Saturday night.

New Zealand Warriors ($1.17) vs Newcastle Knights ($5.50)

Sunday March 5, 2017 (1:00pm) – Mt Smart Stadium

Wooden Spooners in 2016 the Knights don’t look like they’ll have an easy go of it again this season. They start with a trip across the Tasman at huge odds to stop the Warriors. There is never much consistency to the New Zealand crew, but surely against Newcastle at Mt Smart Stadium they are a sure thing.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles ($1.80) vs Parramatta Eels ($2.05)

Sunday March 5, 2017 (3:00pm) – Lottoland

Very even one to round out the opening week of play with old foes Manly and Parra taking to Brookvale Oval. The Eels were down and out with the salary cap cloud raining down on them last year and the drama of Kieran Foran (who won’t play for new club the Warriors until around Round 3). They’ve got a pretty poor away record, but Manly were also below par in 2016. Home ground just gets them home.